Photo By Master Sgt. Lia Aragon | Sgt. Maj. Paul Berry, Regional Command (Southwest) sergeant major, addresses...... read more read more
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Regional Command (Southwest) held its second noncommissioned officer symposium for units aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Sep. 14, to share experiences and learn from each other.
Enlisted leaders from aviation, ground, and support units assembled the Marines and Sailors to discuss a wide range of topics, which included developing the combat mindset, employing force protection and the importance of training subordinates.
According to Sgt. Maj. David Wilson, sergeant major of Marine Attack Squadron 311 (Forward), the symposium was designed to emphasize the role of the NCO both in garrison and combat operations.
“Noncommissioned officers are the executors of the unit’s mission,” said Wilson. “The command element issues orders and guidance, but the NCOs are the ones who make the mission happen at the ground level.”
One of the primary discussions during the symposium focused on the significance of distributed operations. In Afghanistan, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment is spread across multiple bases which place more responsibilities on the shoulders of small-unit leaders. Senior leaders emphasized the importance of preparing Marines to accomplish tasks independently and across multiple platforms.
Sgt. Brandon Rose, a platoon sergeant with 3rd Bn., 4th Marines, recognized the importance of distributed operations and reminded the NCOs of their value to training junior Marines.
“As an NCO, it’s not your lieutenant’s or master sergeant’s job to train your Marines, you have to be out there on the (ground) with them,” said Rose, who is based at Forward Operating Base Shukvani in Sangin district.
Several of the NCOs talked about the various ways they train their troops. Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Seymour, a corpsman with 3rd Bn., 4th Marines, encouraged everyone to cross train their troops.
“We came here thinking we were going to be doing a lot of patrols, taking contact and treating casualties,” said Seymour. “I haven’t had to treat a single Marine. What I have had to do is change my focus from being a line corpsman to running a shock trauma platoon.”
Seymour said he has trained Marines to the point where he would trust them to run a trauma bay with no assistance from corpsmen. He admits it is a small achievement, but one that could prove to be an asset on the battlefield.
The NCOs shared multiple examples of responsibilities they have had to take on outside of their general job and each one recommended different skillsets to teach junior troops.
Wilson closed out the symposium by challenging each person in the audience to lead by example.
“Many leaders can talk a good game, but to truly inspire your Marines, you have to put your words into action,” said Wilson.
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 09.20.2013 05:47 |
| Story ID: | 113965 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 121 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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